kendo
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| posted on 26/11/08 at 10:21 AM |
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Battery Cranking Power
I've done a search but haven't come up with anything definitive so over to you guys.
I'm looking to buy my battery this week so as the title says I want to establish what I really need. The engine is a 1600cc crossflow, the cam
has been up rated and it will have twin forties.
Now I know I don't need a honking great big thing, as lets face it it's only for the engine and lights.
Basically I'd like to know what kind of cranking ampage I'll need, then I can make the judgement on size, type, expense etc.
So what do you think?
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TOO BADD
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| posted on 26/11/08 at 10:38 AM |
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I use a Varley 25 gell batery. Never had a problem and they are light weight. You will need a trickle charger ( battery conditioner) as well, as any
battery will run flat without one.
PS My engine is 11.5:1 comp
[Edited on 26/11/08 by TOO BADD]
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BenB
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| posted on 26/11/08 at 11:52 AM |
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The battery hasn't really got anything to do with lights (unless you're planning on leaving them on for long periods of time with the
engine off). The battery just has to turn over a Xflow and get it started.
Car batteries have the advantage of being pretty rugged and taking a fair bit of abuse. Gel batteries and small motorbike batteries are a bit more
fragile and (as said) don't like being run flat.
For what it's worth I used to start my Micra quite happily on a 7AH gel acid battery from my R/C aeroplane kit. Worked very nicely (though
eventually the cells imploded after too many starts!!!). IE you don't need a huge capacity just a reasonably cranking ability. Obviously the gel
filled battery wasn't up to the high current!! but it worked about 20-30 times and was quite old already.... My main battery was dying so I just
used to charge the gel one and keep it in the boot.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/11/08 at 01:51 PM |
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Xflos traditionally tended to be swines to start in cold weather, tuned xflos can also have problems with hot starting. Part of the reason for this
is Ford used more static igniion advance than most manufacturers and a fairly puny starter. A bigger battery won't help that much.
Going back to the 1960s and 1970s the standard batteries for British cars up to 1600cc were codes number 038 and 039. They were identical except the
038 had conventional terminals and the 039 had Ford lug terminals.
039 will be dificult to find but 038 was used in the Mini so is still listed.
Going up in cranking amps, voltage and capacity size the 063 is the a common fitment for more modern cars up to 1600 cc (for example Rover 416
petrol) -- standard post terminals.
Next size up is the 075 --- typical application the Rover 75 1.8
The Ford lug terminal equivalent would be the 085 used in the cortina, Capri and Sierra up to 2 litres.
Unless you are really trying to cut down on weight I would recommend a 063 or 075 if you have post style terminnals, if you jhave lugs a 085
Modern litium ion batteries last a a lot longer and perform better than the old cheap types it pays to pay a little bit extra -- the best guide to
battery quality is the length of warranty offered --- standard 2 year warranty batteries will last for 3 to 4 years normal use. A battery with a
four year warranty will normally last for 8 years plus.
This web site link may help http://www.carbatteryshop.co.uk/
[Edited on 26/11/08 by britishtrident]
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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kendo
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| posted on 26/11/08 at 03:17 PM |
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thanks
Thanks chaps.
Good info Britishtrident cheers.
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